Conduit box



Aug. 27, 1929. 'r c o'rT 1,725,853

corwurr BOX Filed March 26, 1927 milk! "iii: .1 M: 1m Mun I I MW H I ,6 "'HEUUHHI a f (1 i /5 3 J W iv) A /2- W l l 1H '1 l WW a Patented Aug. 27, 1929. I

PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS A. CROTTY, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

connnr'r BOX.

Application filed March 26 1927 Serial No. 178,789.

This invention relates primarily to an improved means for coupling a threaded or unthreaded pipe end to another body such as, for example, an electrical conduit or outlet box.

The present, invention is designed primarily for use in connection with electric circuit outlet boxes and aims particularly to provide means whereby the end of a pipe may be secured to the box to open thereinto in such manner as to set up a water proof connection therewith. I

In conduit boxes of the type at present in use, the means associated therewith for connecting pipe lines thereto is very unsatisfactory dueto the fact that the connection easily works loose and further, that moisture is not prevented from working through the joint to the interior of the box. The present invention aims to overcome these difficulties.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a connecting means of the character above described, which will be strong and durable, easy to fix in position, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description of the same proceeds, and the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

It is also to be understood that although the present invention is shown and described in connection with an electrical conduit and outlet box, use may be made of the same in any other position or positions where found applicable.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a conduit outlet box in elevation, having one end thereof in longitudinal section and showing means forming the subject matter of the present invention, for securing a pipe thereto.

Figure 2 is a View similar to Figure 1 with the pipe section removed.

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken upon the line of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken upon the line H of Figure 1, and

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken upon the line 55 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 indicates generally, an

outlet box having a single outlet opening 2 formed through one wall thereof.

Extending from the outer face of that wall through which the opening 2 is formed, is a sleevebody 3, the inner wall of which is of gradually decreasing diameter from the outer to the inner ends thereof as indicated by the numeral 4: and the smaller diameter of the interior of the sleeve is materially greater than the diameter of the meral 12, and as shown, the edges formed by this slit are in spaced relation. The inner wall of this wedge sleeve 11 is of substantially the same diameter throughout while the outer wall thereof is of gradually decreasing diameter toward the inner end of the casing sleeve 3 as is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2, and from this it will be readily understood that upon threading the body 8 inwardly upon the sleeve 3, the cap portion .9 will force the wedge sleeve inwardly causing the split portion to close and of course decreasing the diameter of the wedge sleeve.

Interposed between the inner end of the wedge sleeve 11 and the flange 5 is a Washer member 13 which may be formed of relatively hard rubber or soft metal, such as lead or babbit. This Washer 13 rests upon the flange 6 and as will be readily understood, when the wedge sleeve 11 is forced inwardly, the washer will be compressed against the flange 6 and form a tight joint. At the outer end of the wedge sleeve 11, the washer member 14 similar to the washer member 13 is positioned, which washer faces the head 9 of the member 8 from the outer end of the Wedge sleeve 11.

The inner face of the sleeve 11 is provided With a plurality of diagonally formed ribs 15, which ribs act to grip a pipe body, such as that indicated by the numeral 16, when the same is in position and are particularly effective when the inserted end of the pipe 16 is smooth.

The outer face of the wedge sleeve .11 is also formed to set up the longitudinally 6X tending flat portion 17, which portion corresponds to a similarly formed surface upon the inner face of the sleeve body 3 will be readily seen upon reference to Figures 3 and 4, this formation of the sleeves 3 and 11.

preventing the sleeve 11 from turning when the pipe is being secured in position.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily understood thata pipe section may be easily and quickly secured to outlet boxes or may be secured together for the device is applicable to such use, and when such connection is made, a strong, tight, and water proof joint will result.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is:

In a device of the class described, the combination, an oulet box havingan opening in a wall thereof, an externally threaded sleeve nipple projecting from said wall surrounding the opening, the interior of said nipple from the outer end thereof being gradually tapered toward the inner end thereof, an annular seat rib formed on the Wall around said opening and extending beyond the outer face of the wall, the inner end of the nipple having an interior diameter greater than the diameter of the opening and the seat rib and spaced from saidseat rib,

a gasket fitted on said rib and projecting beyond the sides thereof toward the sleeve nipple, a conduit pipe engaging said gasket at a point directly opposite the seat rib, a-

longitudinal slit Wedge sleeve disposed in the nipple and receiving the conduit pipe, a gasket surrounding the pipe engaging the outer end of the slit sleeve, and a cap mem ber threaded on said sleeve nipple engaging the last mentioned gasket for forcingsaid wedge sleeve inward to cause the same to contract about the pipe and engage the first mentioned gasket beyond said seat.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

THOMAS A. CROTTY" 

